proud he was of his son. I had a bath before dinner, and as he led
me to the bathroom he apologized very handsomely for his bad
manners. 'Your coming's been a godsend for Ted. He was moping
a bit in this place. And, though I say it that shouldn't, he's a dashed
good boy.'

I had my promised bottle of port, and after dinner I took on the
father at billiards. Then we settled in the smoking-room, and I laid
myself out to entertain the pair. The result was that they would
have me stay a week, but I spoke of the shortness of my leave, and
said I must get on to the railway and then back to Fort William for
my luggage.

So I spent that night between clean sheets, and ate a Christian
breakfast, and was given my host's car to set me a bit on the road. I
dismissed it after half a dozen miles, and, following the map, struck
over the hills to the west. About midday I topped a ridge, and
beheld the Sound of Sleat shining beneath me. There were other
things in the landscape. In the valley on the right a long goods
train was crawling on the Mallaig railway. And across the strip of
sea, like some fortress of the old gods, rose the dark bastions and
turrets of the hills of Skye.



CHAPTER SIX
The Skirts of the Coolin


Obviously I must keep away from the railway. If the police were